A neurohistochemical and histological study of peripheral autonomic neurons of the human bladder neck and prostate.

The histological structure and neurohistochemical properties of peripheral autonomic nerve cells which supply the bladder neck and male genital tract have been examined in the human infant. Two types of neuron have been recognised and their morphological features described. One type was rich in acetylcholinesterase but devoid of catecholamine and occurred in relation to the bladder neck and preprostatic urethra. These cells probalby represent presumptive cholinergic parasympathetic neurons which innervate the urinary bladder. The second type contained noradrenaline and supplied nerve fibres to the musculature of the musculature of the gential tract. These ganglion cells correspond to the 'short' adrenergic neurons which have been described in other species.